Renee glanced out toward the men as they pushed through the lobby doors and made for the parking lot. “Honestly, I thought they were merely trying to pick us up.”
Remi casually slipped the knife she’d palmed onto the table, her smile telling Sam she thought otherwise. “Something on your mind?”
He glanced out the window as a dark sedan took off, the car’s tinted windows preventing him from seeing in. While the location of the hotel was fine, they had driven through some sketchy areas on the way back from the hospital. It wasn’t unheard of that guests at hotels were often victimized, especially if they looked like helpless women who’d make easy targets. “Change of plans,” he said. “We’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Why?” Remi looked at her friend, then back at him. “I thought we had at least another day.”
“Something came up,” he replied. “Supply truck for the school never made it.”
“What do you mean ‘never made it’?” Remi asked.
“Highway robbery. I’ll tell you in the car while we drive Renee back.”
* * *
—
Hank stared in surprise when Sam opened the front door, holding it for Renee as she hobbled into the house she shared with the other archeologists. “LaBelle,” he said, jumping up from his desk chair to assist her. “I would’ve picked you up. You should’ve called.”
Sam waited for Remi to enter and closed the door after her. “No sense having you make a special trip out when we were right there.”
“Well, thank you,” Hank said, helping her into one of two armchairs. He eyed the soft bandage around her ankle. “No break, I see.”
“More bruised than anything else,” she said. “They want me to stay off it for at least five days.”
“Five days? That’s not bad.” He took her crutches and leaned them against the wall. “So, why the serious face?”
“Their friends from the school were robbed,” Renee said. “They even stole their truck.”
“That’s terrible.” He looked at Sam. “What happened?”
“A band of robbers pulled alongside the truck somewhere between Jalingo and Serta. They pointed a gun, forcing Pete to the side of the road. Yaro, one of the caretakers, was with him. They took the truck and their cell phones, then left them stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
“No one was hurt, I hope?”
“Fortunately, no. Unfortunately, Remi and I have to leave tomorrow. The school van’s in the shop being repaired, so they have no transportation should any emergencies arise. Selma’s arranged for a new truck, and we need to pick up a duplicate order of the stolen supplies.” Selma Wondrash, their Hungarian-born head researcher, wore a lot of other hats in the Fargo household, which allowed the Fargos to continue pursuing their charitable operations uninterrupted. “We’d like to get back on schedule before Lazlo flies in.”
“Who’s Lazlo?” Hank asked.
“One of our researchers,” Remi said. Though Professor Lazlo Kemp’s specialty was cryptography, they’d hired him on full-time when he proved invaluable at helping Selma with her work. Remi smiled at Renee. “Can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Two academics in one room?” She grinned. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“What?” Hank said. “Surely, you’re not still thinking of going, LaBelle? You’re injured.”
“It’s only a sprain. Besides, we’re hanging out at a school, not trekking through the jungle. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She directed her gaze to Sam. “As long as you think it’s safe.”
Sam, halfway hoping they’d back out, knew his wife was excited about bringing the two women to the school as positive role models for the students. And in this case, he happened to agree with her. Too many young girls were discouraged from getting an education, especially those living far afield in the smaller villages. As much as he’d prefer to head out without them, being able to personally talk to someone like Dr. Renee LaBelle or one of her graduate students could have a huge impact on the girls. “I’m not worried. Safety in numbers. We’ll have the truck and a rental car. Two vehicles and the extra people should discourage anyone from thinking we’re an easy mark.”
Renee nodded. “Works for me. What about you, Hank?”
“Well, it’s not that I don’t want to go. I thought we weren’t leaving until day after tomorrow.”
“It’s only a day early.”
“Even so, I’ll have to make some calls,” he said. “Rearrange some appointments. You’d better tell Amal about what happened. She’s in the kitchen with Osmond and José.”
Amal seemed hesitant about going after hearing about the robbery. When José volunteered to take her place, Renee shook her head. “They’re looking for women to inspire the girls. Amal, I know this will be a wonderful experience for you.”
“But,” Remi said, “only if you’re comfortable. We’ll understand if you choose not to go.”
The young woman looked at everyone in turn, her face filled with uncertainty. Her gaze settled on Renee. “What do you think I should do, Dr. LaBelle? I mean, a robbery . . . ?”
“I’m not worried a bit.” She put her hand over Amal’s and smiled. “If anyone can get us there safely, it’s the Fargos.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
If you have health, you have hope, you have everything.
– AFRICAN PROVERB –
Taraba State, Nigeria
The capital of Taraba State, Jalingo, was situated in the savanna-covered foothills not too far from the highest peak in West Africa, Chappal Waddi—the so-called Mountain of Death. The school was situated farther southwest, between the Gashaka Gumti National Park and the village of Gembu. Since that was a good six-hour drive from Jalingo, the Fargos secured hotel rooms for everyone, intending to set out the next morning after a good night’s rest.
Once they arrived at the hotel, they decided to have dinner in the on-site restaurant. Sam and Remi stepped off the elevator to find Renee and Amal waiting for them in the small lobby. “Where’s Hank?” Sam asked.
“He’ll be down in a minute,” Renee said. “Something about a phone call and a small fire to put out.”
In fact, he met them in the restaurant just a few minutes later.
“Everything work out?” Sam asked as a waiter set out glasses of water for each of them.